Assistant City Manager

The City of Delaware, Ohio, is seeking an outgoing, experienced local government professional to work closely with the City Manager and the department leadership team in managing the operation of a full service and growing city.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Assistant City Manager will play a key role in establishing clear organizational direction for the city and will empower employees to advance organizational priorities supporting the city’s strategic plan and four strategic pillars: Great Community, Safe City, Healthy Economy and Effective Government.

Delaware, located in Delaware County in Central Ohio, is the seat of county government and home to approximately 45,000 people. The City of Delaware offers a well-maintained, family-oriented community within a sophisticated, urban atmosphere. It is both a mature and growing City, thanks to a great quality of life, an affordable cost of living and close proximity to the Columbus area.

Submit a cover letter, addressed to City Manager Paul J. Brake, and resume through the online application.  All application materials are subject to Ohio public records laws. Deadline for application submission is Sunday, October 6, 2024. To view an informational brochure on the position, click here.

NATURE OF WORK & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

You can do great work and love what you do with the City of Delaware. We are an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and the innovative spirit of all our employees. The City of Delaware is an award-winning local government organization known for its professionalism, customer service orientation, and a strong commitment to distinctive and well-planned community development. The work environment is stable with excellent benefits and retirement packages. Our mission is to ensure an effective government, a healthy economy, being a safe city, and welcoming you to be a part of this great community!

Under the administrative direction of the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager works closely with the City Manager and the department leadership team to manage the operations of a full-service and growing city. The Assistant City Manager leads people and manages processes to ensure the efficient administration of their assigned departments.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Assistant City Manager plays a key role in establishing clear organizational direction for the City and empowers employees to advance organizational priorities supporting the City’s strategic plan and four strategic pillars: Great Community, Safe City, Healthy Economy, and Effective Government. The position requires regular and reliable attendance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101

Assumes full management responsibility for assigned functions, services, and activities of the City including overseeing assigned departments; provides direction to assigned staff on implementing City Council policy and direction and ensures City Council and City goals are carried out by departments.
Manages the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
Participates in the development of City goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; incorporates community input into goals and objectives for the City for the City Manager’s and City Council’s approval.
Develops new policies in consultation with the City Manager; confers with Department Directors and employees regarding significant policy and procedural changes.
Oversees and directs a variety of special projects; facilitates project activities and resolves problems; develops and submits reports to the City Manager.
Provides assistance to the City Manager, City Council, other City boards and commissions, Directors and attends City Council meetings and other public meetings to assist or represent the City Manager.
Provides leadership and administrative support to advance organizational goals and initiatives related to cultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Manages and supervises all assigned employees (e.g., schedules and assigns tasks; interviews job applicants; recommends the hiring of job applicants; recommends discipline; recommends pay assignments; evaluates performance; receives and adjusts grievances or employee complaints; approves and recommends the approval of leave requests; attends or participates in meetings in which policy questions are reviewed or discussed; develops and implements policy; recommends policy changes; participates in personnel or labor relations activities; has access to other employees’ personnel files; has access to financial data used in monitoring department revenue/income).
The Assistant City Manager is a key member of the City Manager’s executive team and will report to and partner with the City Manager to oversee and manage the operations of the City.
Confers with the City Manager to ascertain basic administrative policy and coordinates action in matters on which Council policy has been established. May confer with department heads concerning City policy, departmental direction, compiling of departmental statistics, and reviewing and analyzing efficiency. Performs the duties of City Manager as needed during the City Manager’s absence.
Leads the City’s strategic planning process. Updates the strategic plan for the City focused Council priorities.  Assures the strategic plan is documented and shared in appropriate project management software. Directs the tactics of accomplishing the goals of the strategic plan and assures departments are following through on goals and objectives.
Assists the City Manager and department heads in the preparation and implementation of the capital and operating budgets.
Coordinates the bid, request for proposal (RFP), proposal analysis, and award process for procurement.
Oversees and administers risk management activities by forecasting and evaluating the financial risks of the City’s operations while identifying procedures to avoid or minimize their impact. Researches, evaluates, and recommends purchases of corporate insurance; oversees implementation and processing of claims.
Plays a key role in project coordination for all City departments.  Drives city-wide projects through project management to include cost/benefit analysis and assignment of tactical steps to drive results, particularly those projects involving multiple departments (this might include tracking city property, managing contracts, City facility upgrade and development, etc.).  May serve as project lead.
Communicates with the public, businesses, and other organizations through telephone and e-mail inquiries, public meetings, and special appearances. Represents the City at a variety of meetings, conferences, boards, agencies, etc.        Investigates and resolves public inquiries and complaints.
Manages state and federal grant programs and special projects assigned by the City Manager.
Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE
Budgeting.
Finance.
Interviewing.
Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, SharePoint, OneNote, and Teams) and other computer software.
City and Department goals and objectives.
City and Department policies and procedures.
Government structure and process.
Safety practices and procedures.
Supervisory principles and practices.
Project management.
Standard office procedures.
Municipal government’s function.
Relationships with other governmental jurisdictions and the Council-Manager form of government.
Federal, State, and local laws impacting local government operations,
Collective bargaining rules and regulations,
Effective leadership and supervisory methods.
Grant administration.

SKILLS
Excellent organization, attention to detail, accuracy, time management, and critical thinking skills.
Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Civic engagement and customer service.
Implementation of new software applications as needed.
High level of proficiency in the City of Delaware’s leadership behaviors:  strategic, problem-solving, customer service, integrity, teamwork, empowerment, flexibility, cooperation, action-oriented, and time management.

ABILITIES
Apply management principles to solve problems.
Supervise, organize, and direct the work of subordinate personnel.
Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations.
Deal with many variables, define and solve problems, collect, analyze, and interpret data, establish facts, and determine specific actions, evaluate and improve process and/or program efficiency and effectiveness.
Organize, oversee, and complete multiple projects simultaneously with limited supervision.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality about information within the office.
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Prepare correspondence.
Compile and prepare reports.
Understand and follow written and oral instructions, policies, and procedures.
Be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
Maintain effective working relationships.
Communicate effectively, both in oral and written form and prepare and present effective public presentations.
Exercise independent judgment and discretion.
Perform work in a safe manner and report unsafe activities, conditions, and faulty equipment.
Work in a professional office environment.
Negotiate contracts.
Research and prepare detailed reports and correspondence.
Develop long-range goals and objectives.
Motivate and drive teams to meet objectives.
Analyze financial data.
Prepare budgets and complete fiscal planning.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The primary duties of this position are performed in a public office-building environment.
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate, and prepare a variety of written materials and documents.
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer.
Sufficient mobility and flexibility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED
Computer, copier, phone, and other standard/modern office equipment; computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office and other applicable computer software).

Training, Experience, and Qualifications:
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in local government management, including managing teams and projects.
Experience in a growing community preferred.
Master of Business, Public Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university, preferred.
Residence within the City is encouraged.
Possession of a valid State of Ohio Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.
Regular and reliable attendance
Any combination of training and experience which will indicate the possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed below.

Supplemental Information / Special Requirements:
Applicants must include a cover letter addressed to City Manager, Paul J. Brake and a resume with their application.

The City of Delaware offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, and life insurance, retirement pension and savings plans, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and longevity pay and in many positions, paid uniforms or clothing allowance. This position is part of the Management Pay Plan.  Details about the compensation and benefits for this position can be found in the agreement by clicking here.

The information above is intended to be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position and should not be interpreted to describe all the duties which may be required of employees holding this position.

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.